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Ocracoke Child Care slates chili cook-off

Ocracoke Child Care will have back-to-back fundraising food events on the island this winter and spring.

The first one will be a Chili Cook-off on Saturday, Feb. 13, Valentine’s weekend, at the Ocracoke Station campground.

This will be a “Chopped”-type event where chili chefs create their chili dishes on site from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. While observers may arrive at any time to watch the cooking action, the chili dishes must be ready by1:30 p.m. when attendees taste the chili until 3 p.m. and judge for peoples’ choice.

Four winners will be chosen: Best Overall; Most Unique; Best Vegetarian and Best Traditional (beans, meat, tomatoes).

Entry fees are $25 for participating chefs and $10 for attendees. Beer, water and soda will be for sale by Ocracoke Station.

Marissa Gross, a Child Care board member, who spearheaded the first one three years ago, was the impetus for this year’s event.

“The first year was a lot of fun and we had a lot of participants,” she said.

Cooking from scratch (as they do on reality TV cooking shows) on site is the key to the fun.

“Anyone can cook something great at home with unlimited time,” she said. “The whole point is to see what you can do in a short amount of time.”

Entry forms are available at the Ocracoke Gas Station and the Pirate’s Chest.

Ocracoke Child Care Center, while closed since last fall, expects to open mid-March.